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"The EAC is proud to test and certify voting systems and system modifications so that election officials can confidently purchase and upgrade equipment that meets federal requirements," said Brian Hancock, Director of the Election Assistance Commission’s Voting System Testing and Certification program. "Election officials face enormous pressure and often operate with limited resources. The EAC’s Testing and Certification efforts save them valuable time and money."

Among the EVS 5.2.2.0 modifications certified by the EAC was the addition of the new DS450, a mid-range central count scanner. In addition, the EAC certified an update to the system’s cryptographic modules to meet VVSG requirements, added an external barcode scanner used for ballot activation on the ExpressVote, as well as included an update that provides the ability for a two column display to the ExpressVote. The EVS 5.2.2.0 voting system combines paper-based voting with touch screen technology. It produces an independent voter-verifiable paper record that is digitally scanned for tabulation. The system is designed to provide accessibility to voters with disabilities, include those who are blind or hearing impaired. It also has the capability of serving voters who speak six languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Hindi.

The EVS 5.2.2.0 is the 17th ES&S voting system certified as meeting federal standards, including modifications. This system meets the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 1.0 (VVSG 1.0) established in 2005. At least 47 states now use the EAC’s Testing and Certification program in some way when deciding which voting system to procure. Today’s modification marks the 37th EAC certification completed in coordination with 5 voting system vendors.

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the EAC’s Testing and Certification program, which is the most successful and most implemented voting machine testing and certification program in the nation. The Testing and Certification program was a requirement of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, legislation that created the EAC and mandated that the commission provide certification, decertification, and recertification of voting systems, as well as the accreditation of voting system testing laboratories. This legislation marked the first time the federal government funded these activities, a step that allowed states to procure new certified voting systems without the added expense of independent testing and certification.

The EAC is currently partnering with a diverse working group comprised of representatives from the election community, public sector, private sector and interest groups to develop the next iteration of the election system testing and certification guidelines, VVSG 2.0. Earlier this month, a set of 17 core voting system functions that will guide the VVSG 2.0 were adopted by the Technical Guidelines Development Committee. The new system testing guidelines are expected to be released in 2018 and will become the highest standard against which voting systems can be commercially tested in the United States.

For more information about today’s announcement, please contact Brenda Bowser Soder at bsoder@eac.gov or 301-563-3951. You can learn more about the EAC’s Testing and Certification program at www.eac.gov.

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The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). It is an independent, bipartisan commission charged with ensuring secure, accurate and accessible elections by developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration. EAC also accredits testing laboratories and certifies voting systems, as well as administers the use of HAVA funds. For more information, visit www.eac.gov.